Bait, Chapter 33.
Sora woke up in the real world, the images of Riku's broken psyche still fresh in his thoughts. And the replica, who he had nicknamed "Kodomorashi," that was still standing guard, making sure Riku's broken heart mended properly. It was a lot to take in.
"Sora!" Mickey ran to his side, looking at the boy intently.
"Riku's heart has broken..." Sora began. "And his replica is doing everything he can to heal him. But he said whether he wakes up or not depends entirely on him. He thinks Riku will wake up soon, but what do you think? He's been through far too much!" Yen Sid held a hand out to silence him.
"Shhh. Don't overexcite yourself, you're still recovering too." He began. "So the replica has been acting as a healer to him. How did he learn how to mend a broken heart?"
"He said he'd found the most nurturing part of Riku's memories, and I too could feel their effects while I was in there. It was as though every negative thought and emotion I ever felt had washed away." Everyone in the room looked at Sora, shocked.
"A manifestation of purest light..." Yen Sid exclaimed. "Like he holds a tiny piece of Kingdom Hearts deep within himself."
Sora turned and looked at Riku after that remark. He had the same peaceful expression on his face that the projected image of his heart had. Did he really hold such a pure light within himself, even if it was a tiny piece?
"This generation of Keyblade wielders never ceases to amaze me! That must be why Riku can use darkness without consequences- because he has that light to help keep it in check!" Mickey said in awe.
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Sora kept a constant vigil at Riku's side, like he did when he was so sick after his confinement. His condition was drastically different from that time however. He was in perfect health save the bandaged wound near his heart and the fact that he wouldn't wake.
Aerith came in towards the end of the day to change both his and Riku's bandages and check up on their condition. Sora panicked when he saw what else she had brought with her.
"Oh, don't be a baby!" The woman exclaimed as she stuck a needle full of... something into Sora's arm. "I'm sorry that we don't have your master's knowledge of magic or potions, but after we heard the full story of how you got those injuries, we thought it was necessary." Her expression turned sympathetic and she said matter-of-factly: "It's far better than a slow, painful death from infection!"
Sora rubbed his arm and looked at Aerith sourly as she did the same thing to Riku. "And just what was this 'necessity?'"
She didn't answer, as she noticed that- after nearly 5 days- she had finally gotten a reaction from Riku. He had felt the sting of the needle and let out a soft wince.
"I think he's starting to come around!" she exclaimed. Sora let go of his sulky demeanor and rushed to his friend's side, taking his hand and squeezing it tightly, trying to get another reaction from him.
Though he slept on, Sora noticed that Riku's hand tightened around his, reminding him of how Riku had let him know he was okay after nearly dying in that harrowing procedure.
"Come on, you can do it!" Sora whispered encouragingly to him. Riku's eyes opened, and he looked around the room, confused.
"Where am I?" he asked.
"A makeshift ward in Hollow Bastion..." Aerith answered. "You two gave us a bit of a scare, but you both seem to be ok now..."
"How're you feeling?" Sora asked.
"Much better. I know what happened during my absence, and I am grateful. Also, Kodomorashi-Riku wanted me to say hello..."
Sora began to laugh, as Riku wore an amused smirk.
"You really saw him as childlike?"
"Yes. He seemed more innocent and a bit confused, kind of like a child..."
"Well... Sora, I don't think even he knew about his full origins. It could very well be that he was formed from my childhood memories..."
"He told me the same thing..." Sora agreed. "But, child or not, I am now convinced you have a strong ally."
"Yes. Even if it is just to keep my sanity in check..."
End of Chapter 33